Squirrel…

First off, no, there is no squirrel in the cake. I know I was married to a man from Alabama, but road kill never became part of my repertoire (his either). 😀
So it may be hard to believe but I saw the movie UP for the first time last night. I chose not to see it in the theatre because I heard I would cry (for the record, I did, how could you not). I don’t like to cry in public (who does) and so I avoided it. Then I somehow missed it when it came to On Demand. And then it went on a different movie channel. And before you know it I forgot all about it. Then this past weekend I noticed it was coming on and I recorded it for later. I couldn’t sleep last night and I decided to watch it. If you haven’t seen it, do. It’s such a great movie that will run the gamut of emotions for you.
Though the movie is touching and poignant and I may write about that this week, I want to focus on one aspect of the movie, the talking dog. The talking dog, as with all the dogs in the movie are all easily distracted by squirrels (hence the title). At first one might think oh, a talking dog, what a great money maker… and then the thought hits me, I would have to hear my dog talk. And though mostly, like now as I look down at her, she has a blank, vapid look, one might falsely assume she has nothing to say. Now I know she won’t be spouting out sonnets and what not, but I am quite sure on going daily conversations would be as such:

“Why am I so itchy? Ugh, so itchy. Must itch. Ahhh, feels so good to scratch and chew. Stop telling me not to scratch and chew woman, I am scratchy. Don’t you dare put that blue collar on me, aww damn.”
“Feed me. Feed me. Feed me.”
“Why am I eating this dry kibble crap when you are eating whatever that is that smells infinitely better than what this is?’
“What’s that smell? Sniff, sniff? Really, what’s that smell? It’s coming from my butt. Sniff, sniff. Darn, it’s me. I smell like that. Quick, pretend no one saw you sniffing your butt so they won’t know it’s you.”
“Wait, I will not wait. I need to pee now woman. You try and wait. I don’t get to crawl up on that white thing, no, I have to wait for you. So get moving or I will find your shoes and pee in those, maybe poop too.”
“I will shred you from limb to limb you evil man wearing the brown uniform who dare disturb me. Can’t you see I am napping. How dare you disturb me. Are you trying to steal my toys? My bone. Bastard. I will cut you.”

See, clearly her speaking would not be a good thing. For now I like the non-talking neurotic dog that I have.
I’m sure if she could talk she would complain how she never gets any baked goods as well. 🙂
This is a simple yogurt cake to use up limes. Moist. Tart. Good. One of my many everyday things I make.

Lime Yogurt Cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 C. plain whole-milk yogurt

1 1/3 granulated sugar, divided

3 extra-large eggs

2 tsp. grated lime zest

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 TBSP. freshly squeezed lime juice

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8 1/2 by 4 1/4 by 2 1/2-inch loaf pan(I used 3 mini pans). Line the bottom with parchment paper. Grease and flour the pan.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt into 1 bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the yogurt, 1 cup sugar, the eggs, lime zest, and vanilla. Slowly whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. With a rubber spatula, fold the vegetable oil into the batter, making sure it’s all incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 50 minutes(about 35 in the mini pans), or until a cake tester placed in the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Meanwhile, cook the 1/3 cup lime juice and remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a small pan until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is clear. Set aside.

When the cake is done, allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully place on a baking rack over a sheet pan. While the cake is still warm, pour the lemon-sugar mixture over the cake and allow it to soak in. Cool.

For the glaze, combine the powdered sugar and lemon juice and pour over the cake.

Ive been trying to get my dads wife and her sister to watch Up forever. Im tough as nails in my neck of the woods and cried like a baby at Up. Honestly, I would love to have the relationship Carl had some day. It was beautiful – and I was amazed at how many emotions Pixar was able to express through animation. No Im not a Disney freak – Up really did impress me.
You came up with like 5 more things that I can even really imagine my dog saying. >.<
The cake looks beautiful as always 🙂

This looks super yummy! We love the movie “Up,” too. Our dog was *this* close to being named “Dug.” One of his favorite toys is actually called a “flying squirrel,” so when we say “squirrel!”…he runs and gets it.

I love this movie. I did see it in the theater and yes, there were tears. Sometimes I am the one who is dragging my girls to see a movie. I remember years ago, when the Little Mermaid came out, I really, really wanted to see it but thought it would be kind of weird to be an adult without a child sitting there. I should have just gone. My absolute favorite movie is Beauty and the Beast. I can watch that over and over (13 Going on 30 is a close second :))

Lime yogurt cake sounds delicious – i’ve only ever done a lemon one but this sounds like a glorious change!

I’m a substitute teacher right now, and recently my sub plans had me reading “Martha Speaks” to four different 3rd grade classes. It’s about a dog named Martha who ate alphabet soup and the letters went to her brain instead of her stomach – which caused – You guessed it – Martha to speak. My favorite part of the days I was there was when I asked the students “If your dog could talk, what do you think they’d say to you?” One of my favorites was, “Could I ride you to the circus?” Probably some of the funnest conversations I’ve had in an elementary school. Your post reminded me of that memory! 🙂

As soon as you said ‘squirrel’ I thought of UP! How funny. I also love “Hi! I was hiding under the porch…because I love you…”

Our dog loves geese, but he gets fixated on squirrels, too. I wish I knew what he was thinking, it’d probably be close to your narrative!

Your cake looks amazing. I love the addition of the citrus flavors. the first time I had yogurt cake was when we had a French exchange student stay with us – I’ve been hooked ever since! So moist, so tender! Love it!

Hahahaha…don’t you have a cocker spaniel? I think I remember that. Anyway, I have a cockapoo who is neurotic and always scratching and/or chewing herself. And she wears a cone when we’re gone. Or else she chews her toes, till they bleed… Is that what you meant by blue collar?

I love the movie Up. I had no idea what it was about and ‘forced’ several friends to go with me to see it in the movie theatre. I was so embarrassed because I cried like a baby through almost the whole movie!

I’d wondered if a squirrel cake might be sort of variation on a hedgehog slice! Nope, but it does look very tasty indeed. I saw Up! on a plane (appropriate, perhaps?), and sat there sniffling occasionally and feeling a bit daft, but really loved it…

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[…] said no. But told me that she loved oatmeal raisin cookies. I go back in two weeks, cookies in hand. I think the movie UP is giving me a soft spot for seniors. Now though these cookies were made even before I went. These of course are not oatmeal raisin, but […]

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Hi I’m Peabody (yep, that’s my first name) and welcome to my site! Here you will find a whole lot of yummy recipes (mostly baking and dessert), positive body image promotion, telling it like it is, and the random things that make up my life. Thanks for stopping by! Read more...